# Irena Szewińska

> Polish sprinter and sports official (1946–2018)

**Wikidata**: [Q229424](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229424)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irena_Szewińska)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/irena-szewinska

## Summary
Irena Szewińska was a Polish sprinter and sports official (1946–2018). She is best known for her Olympic and world championship victories in the 400-meter run, including a gold medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics. She also served as a prominent figure in Polish athletics administration.

## Biography
- Born: May 24, 1946
- Nationality: Polish
- Education: Studied at the University of Warsaw
- Known for: Olympic gold medalist in the 400-meter run and influential sports official
- Employer(s): University of Warsaw, Polish athletics administration
- Field(s): Track and field athletics, sports administration

## Contributions
- Won gold in the 400-meter run at the 1972 Munich Olympics, setting a world record of 50.81 seconds.
- Held multiple world records in the 400-meter run, including a 50.68-second time in 1972.
- Served as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
- Organized the Irena Szewińska Memorial, an annual track and field meeting.
- Received the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest decoration, for her athletic achievements and contributions to sports.

## FAQs
**What were Irena Szewińska’s major athletic achievements?**
Szewińska won gold in the 400-meter run at the 1972 Munich Olympics and set multiple world records in the event, including a 50.68-second time in 1972. She also won multiple medals at the European Championships and World Championships.

**What administrative roles did Irena Szewińska hold?**
She served as a member of the International Olympic Committee and the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, and she organized the Irena Szewińska Memorial, an annual track and field event.

**What awards did Irena Szewińska receive?**
She was honored with the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest decoration, and was inducted into the IAAF Hall of Fame for her athletic accomplishments.

## Why They Matter
Irena Szewińska was one of the most successful Polish athletes of her generation, breaking world records and winning Olympic gold in the 400-meter run. Her influence extended beyond athletics, as she became a respected sports official, serving on the International Olympic Committee and promoting Polish athletics. Her legacy continues through the Irena Szewińska Memorial, an annual event that honors her contributions to track and field.

## Notable For
- Olympic gold medalist in the 400-meter run (1972 Munich Olympics)
- Holder of multiple world records in the 400-meter run
- Member of the International Olympic Committee and International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
- Organizer of the Irena Szewińska Memorial, an annual track and field event
- Recipient of the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest decoration

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Irena Szewińska was born on May 24, 1946, in Poland. She studied at the University of Warsaw, where she pursued a degree in physical education and sports science.

### Athletic Career
Szewińska began her competitive career in the early 1960s, quickly rising through the ranks of Polish athletics. She specialized in the 400-meter run and became one of the dominant sprinters of her era. Her breakthrough came at the 1972 Munich Olympics, where she won gold in the 400-meter run with a world-record time of 50.81 seconds. She also set multiple world records in the event, including a 50.68-second time in 1972. Szewińska’s success continued at the European and World Championships, where she won multiple medals.

### Sports Administration
After retiring from competition, Szewińska transitioned into sports administration. She served as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. She also organized the Irena Szewińska Memorial, an annual track and field meeting held in her honor.

### Awards and Recognition
Szewińska was honored with numerous awards and recognitions throughout her career. She received the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest decoration, for her athletic achievements and contributions to sports. She was also inducted into the IAAF Hall of Fame for her influence on the sport of athletics.

### Legacy
Irena Szewińska’s legacy endures through her athletic accomplishments and her contributions to sports administration. Her world records and Olympic gold medal remain landmarks in the history of the 400-meter run. The Irena Szewińska Memorial continues to celebrate her impact on track and field, honoring her as a pioneer in Polish athletics.

## References

1. Olympedia
2. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
3. FemBio database
4. Internetowy Polski Słownik Biograficzny
5. World Athletics database
6. [Source](https://www.lequipe.fr/Athletisme/Actualites/Deces-d-irena-szewinska/917309)
7. [Source](http://www.sport.pl/lekkoatletyka/7,64989,23616031,irena-szewinska-nie-zyje.html)
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. [Source](https://www.fakt.pl/sport/inne-sporty/szewinska-walczy-z-nowotworem/p77zemm)